EP0070877B1 - Elektronische farbbildvorrichtung - Google Patents

Elektronische farbbildvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0070877B1
EP0070877B1 EP82900712A EP82900712A EP0070877B1 EP 0070877 B1 EP0070877 B1 EP 0070877B1 EP 82900712 A EP82900712 A EP 82900712A EP 82900712 A EP82900712 A EP 82900712A EP 0070877 B1 EP0070877 B1 EP 0070877B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
color
light
modulators
plane
modulator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP82900712A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0070877A1 (de
EP0070877A4 (de
Inventor
José Manuel MIR
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
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Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Publication of EP0070877A1 publication Critical patent/EP0070877A1/de
Publication of EP0070877A4 publication Critical patent/EP0070877A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0070877B1 publication Critical patent/EP0070877B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/46—Colour picture communication systems
    • H04N1/50—Picture reproducers
    • H04N1/504—Reproducing the colour component signals line-sequentially

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus and method for forming a color image from an electrical signal and more particularly to improvements in electronic color imaging apparatus of the kind using an array of light valves.
  • U.S. Patent 4,229,095 discloses various embodiments of electronic color-imaging apparatus that utilize arrays of separately-addressable, pixel (picture element) sized, electro-optical means to effect multicolor exposure of panchromatic imaging media.
  • electro-optical means disclosed in that patent is a light valve comprising a panel of ferro-electric ceramic material, such as lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) sandwiched between crossed polarizers and activated to operate in a quadratic Kerr cell mode.
  • PZT lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate
  • an array of such light valves comprises a panel of PLZT material with a plurality' of interleaved electrodes formed on one major surface in a manner facilitating the selective application of discrete electrical fields transversely across (in a direction perpendicular to the direction of viewing) discrete surface areas of the plate.
  • the PLZT material Upon application of such fields, the PLZT material becomes birefringent and rotates the direction of polarization of incident light by an extent dependent of the field magnitude. This results in the transmission of light through the PLZT panel and polarizers varying as a function of the electric fields.
  • a color image is formed by selectively opening and closing such light valves in synchronization with pulses of red, green and blue light and according to the red, green and blue color information for the pixels of that image.
  • the above approaches are completely suitable for many electronic imaging applications; however, in certain electronic imaging applications they each have some undesirable features.
  • the multiple-lamp approach involves three, instead of one, illuminating sources and thus some additional costs. Moreover, there are certain limits as to how fast these sources can be turned on and off and for higher speed imaging applications, this can present a problem.
  • the rotating filter approach avoids both of the aforementioned potential difficulties; however, it involves precise synchronization of the filters' movement and thus involves the cost of precise servo-systems, as well as potential operational difficulties in higher speed applications.
  • the color control apparatus of the invention comprises a panel of discrete, electrically addressable, color modulators, one modulator for each of the different colors (e.g. red, green, blue) desired.
  • the panel When illuminated by plane polarized light emanating from a multicolor light source and addressed by a suitable electric signal, the panel is adapted to rotate the plane of polarization of a selected color (e.g. blue). Like the selected color, the remaining colors (e.g.
  • red and green are transmitted by the panel but their respective planes of polarization remain unaltered.
  • a polarizer having a plane of polarization which is crossed with respect to the plane of polarization of the light incident upon the panel, only the selected color is transmitted.
  • Circuitry is provided for addressing the panel's individual modulators, one at a time and in a predetermined order to sequentially rotate the plane of polarization of a selected color at a time when the individual light valves of the electronic imaging array are electrically addressed with image information of the selected color.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates one preferred embodiment of the color control apparatus of the invention, such apparatus being shown incorporated in an electronic color imaging system 10.
  • Imaging system 10 generally comprises first and second electro-optic modulators 11 and 12 which share a common plane polarizing filter 14.
  • the primary function of modulator 12 is to control the intensity of each picture element of an image formed at an image plane (represented by a photosensitive medium M in the drawings), and the primary function of modulator 11 is to control the color of each of such picture elements.
  • color modulator 11 and its associated circuitry constitutes the subject matter of this invention, it has certain structural similarities with intensity modulator 12; hence, the following description is pertinent to both modulators.
  • Electro-optic modulators 11 and 12 preferably are formed of electro-optic material (E, E', respectively) of the type which transforms from a nonpolar, optically-isotropic state to a polar, strongly birefringent state when an electrical field is applied thereacross.
  • electro-optic material E, E', respectively
  • PLZT ferroelectric ceramic of a kind known in the art (see, e.g., U.S. 3,612,656; U.S. 3,998,523 and U.S. 4,053,207) is a preferred class of material; however, there are various other well known materials which exhibit the desired electro-optic behaviour described above.
  • the electro-optic material (E, E') is positioned between a crossed pair of plane polarizers. In Fig.
  • polarizer 14 can be shared by both modulators. Alternatively, however, polarizer 14 may comprise two sheets of polarizing filters having their planes of polarization aligned; in this case, the contrast ratio has been found to be increased, albeit the optical losses are greater.
  • the plane of polarization of each polarizer is designated by the dashed arrows.
  • the polarizers can be selected from various known materials such as sheet polarizing materials which exhibit dichroism, e.g. Polaroid sheet polarizers. In certain applications other light polarizing techniques, such as Nichol prisms and Brewster mirrors, may be useful.
  • modulators 11 and 12 are arranged along an optical axis A in a predetermined sequence and orientation. Specifically, color modulator 11 is shown as being located between modulator 12 and a multicolored light course 16; however, in the practice of the invention, color modulator 11 could be positioned between modulator 12 and the image plane (i.e. photosensitive medium M).
  • modulators 11 and 12 usually it will be desirable to dispose the individual elements of modulators 11 and 12 in closely spaced relation; however, in certain embodiments other light directing optical elements e.g. such as mirrors and prisms can be interposed along the optical path.
  • other light directing optical elements e.g. such as mirrors and prisms can be interposed along the optical path.
  • the modulators need not be arranged in a straight line, they should be generally optically aligned.
  • the polarization direction of the entrance and exit polarizing means 13 and 15 are the same and the polarization direction of the intermediate polarizing means 14 is orthogonal to those of the other polarizers.
  • the source of uniform, multicolor illumination 16 is located to direct light generally along axis A, illuminating the entire surface of entrance polarizer 13 uniformly. It is highly preferred that such illumination be substantially collimated in a direction normal to the major surfaces of the polarizers and modulators.
  • means are provided (e.g. roller 17 coupled to drive 18) for supporting a pan-sensitive recording medium M and moving it past an exposure station opposite exit polarizing means 15.
  • suitable means e.g. a lens, not shown, will be provided between polarizing means 15 and the image medium to image the light valve at the exposure station.
  • the modulators 11 and 12 are divided into a plurality of independently addressable strip portions (R, G, B and P l -P,) by strip electrodes extending across their major surfaces in predetermined configurations.
  • intensity modulator 12 it can be seen that a plurality of linear electrodes 21 extend from a common line along the top of the modulator in a parallel spaced relation to the bottom of the modulator, and a plurality of addressing electrodes 22 extend in parallel spaced relation toward the top of the modulator, interleaved between electrodes 21.
  • the electrodes 21 can be coupled to a common source of reference potential, e.g. ground and the electrodes 22 selectively energized to an activating potential level.
  • zones (P i ⁇ Pg) between adjacent pair of electrodes 22 form light-modulating strip portions transversely across the path of the recording medium M as it moves past the exposure zone.
  • the color modulator 11 shown in Fig. 1 has a slightly different electrode arrangment; however, it can also be formed like modulator 12 but with the strip portions in an orthogonal direction. Instead, in the illustrated embodiment, the color modulator 11 comprises a plurality of separately-addressable linear electrodes 24 extending horizontally across the modulator and coupled to an addressing source 27 adjacent the modulator. Electrodes 24 define three discrete strips on the surface of the electro-optic material E on which they are disposed, and three different color filters 26, which transmit red (R), green (G) and blue (B) light are optically aligned with such strips.
  • the adjacent electrodes 26 defining that portion be at different potential levels to form the activating electrical field thereacross. This can be done in an electrically efficient fashion, which will be described subsequently, for the preferred embodiment disclosed.
  • the red, green and blue filters can be coated on the modulator portions or supported in appropriately aligned relation.
  • the electric fields applied across strip portions R, G, B and P l -P s be in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis A.
  • the phrase "transversely across” is used with respect to electric fields to distinguish this preferred field direction in contrast to the direction across the thickness of the element (i.e., in a direction parallel to the optical axis A).
  • This mode of field application results in light modulation in the transverse or Kerr mode rather than in the longitudinal or scattering mode.
  • buffer memory 31 provides an output to addressing source 25 (e.g., a shift register) for intensity modulator 12 representing the pixel information for a particular color content of a line of image information, which it has received and stored from image signal source 32.
  • addressing source 25 e.g., a shift register
  • intensity modulator 12 representing the pixel information for a particular color content of a line of image information, which it has received and stored from image signal source 32.
  • color signal generator 35 produces an output to addressing source 27 (e.g., a shift register) for color modulator 11 representative of such particular color.
  • Addressing source 27 also operates under the control of clock 30.
  • clock 30 initiates an address signal which causes the addressing sources 27 and 25 to energize electrodes 22 and 26 in accordance with the information clocked therein.
  • the multicolor source 16 has been energized by power source 38 to effect uniform illumination of modulator 11, through its polarizer means 13, with panchromatic light.
  • the light from strips G and R is blocked by cross polarizer 4, but the light exiting strip B (having been rotated 90°) passes polarizer 14 and forms an illuminating strip of blue light (orthogonal to strips P l -P 5 ) on modulator 12.
  • pixel regions P 1 , P 4 and P 5 of modulator 12 are in the polar, birefringent state and rotate light passing therethrough 90°.
  • Non-activated strips P 2 and P 3 do not rotate' light falling thereon.
  • light passing activated strips passes polarizer 15 (which is cross relative to polarizer 14) and light passing non-activated strips is blocked by polarizer 15.
  • color signal generator 35 Upon completion of the blue color imaging of the line, color signal generator 35 activates an input to addressing source for the color control modulator to energize a different color strip of modulator (e.g., by actuating the shift register 27 so that the first two elements thereof are "V"). New pixel region information for the green color imaging of a line is input to source 25 and the activation stage is repeated as previously described. Subsequent addressing of registers 27 and corresponding input to pixel regions of modulator 12 will provide red color exposure of a line.
  • the pixel color information addressed to modulator 12 during the successive R, G, B activations of modulator 11 can be for the same transverse line of the image medium.
  • the optical means between polarizing means 15 and the exposure station would be designed to direct the spaced red, green and blue light strip portions which pass modulators 11 and 12 to a common line zone at the exposure station (e.g. anamorphic optics).
  • the buffer memory can include signal processing means which provide appropriate line delays to image color signals.
  • the pixel modulator 12 would be addressed with different image line information for each different color pulse.
  • the pixel information applied to modulator 12 during the blue pulse would be e.g. for line 17, while the pixel information applied to modulator 12 during the green and red pulses of that sequence of color modulator 11, would be respectively for lines 18 and 19.
  • color modulator 11 comprises a color control apparatus that is capable of controlling the passage of particular light colors in response to addressing electrical signals.
  • modulator 12 comprises a light valve array for controlling light passage to a plurality of pixel regions, arranged transversely across the exposure station, in response to addressing electrical signals.
  • modulators 11 and 12 could be interchanged on the optical axis.
  • modulators other than the specific types described could be utilized.
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrate some exemplary embodiments of different configurations which can be utilized according to the present invention.
  • the device 40 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a lamp source 46, polarizers 43, 44 and 45 and layers of electro-optic material 41 and 42 having electrodes disposed thereon, all similar to those described with respect to Fig. 1.
  • a filter array 47 is aligned with the respective strip formed by electrodes of electro-optic modulator 41.
  • the modulators 11 and 12 of Fig. 1 are formed as a unitary panel, and that the respective R, G and B line exposures occur at different locations along the path on which recording medium M is supported and moved through the exposure station, e.g. by a vacuum platen 49.
  • zone X on the recording medium If the size of zone X on the recording medium is sufficiently small, the different color exposures for that zone will be visually integrated and the zone can be considered a line of pixels. If the zone is larger than will be integrated by the viewer, i.e. the sub- zones can be resolved, then it will be desirable to allow appropriate time delays between successive R, G, B line exposures to allow the movement of the recording medium to provide registration or to provide appropriate optical means, e.g. anamorphic optics between the polarizer 45 and the exposure station.
  • appropriate optical means e.g. anamorphic optics between the polarizer 45 and the exposure station.
  • the device 50 shown in Fig. 3 shows another way to accomplish overlap of different color exposures of an image line.
  • This device comprises illumination source 56, entrance polarizer 53, electro-optic modulator 51, color strip filter array 57 and intermediate polarizer 54 as described above.
  • the different color light strips are all directed by anamorphic optics comprising e.g., cylindrical lenslet array 60, onto the same linear array 52 of discretely-addressable electro-optic pixels.
  • the light passing array 52 enters an aligned strip polarizer 55 and is recorded on material M fed by drive means 59 past the exposure zone.
  • the device 70 shown in Fig. 4 represents another alternative embodiment.
  • the device comprises linear strip polarizers 73a-c, 74a-c and 75a-c which are located along their respective optical axes in relation to linear modulators 71a-c and 72a-c in a manner similar to the other devices previously described.
  • the separate light paths defined by these elements have respectively a red R, green G and blue B filter aligned thereacross.
  • Modulators 71a-c have spaced horizontal electrodes (not shown) which define a single electro-optical strip.
  • Modulators 72a-c have a plurality of linear electrodes similar to modulator 12 of Fig. 1 but only extending a single pixel height.
  • Light from illumination source 76 is piped, e.g.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Printers Or Recording Devices Using Electromagnetic And Radiation Means (AREA)

Claims (2)

1. Elektronisches Farbabbildungsgerät mit (a) einer Anordung aus elektrisch ansteuerbaren Lichtventilen, die zwischen einer Lichtquelle für mehrfarbiges Licht und einer Abbildungsebene angeordnet ist, um die Intensität der einzelnen Bildelemente eines in der Abbildungsebene zu erzeugenden Bildes selektiv zu steuern, wobei jedes der Lichtventile einen Polarisator aufweist, der einfallendes Licht plan polarisiert, sowie, damit optisch ausgerichtet, ein elektro-optisches lichtmodulierendes Material, das bei Anlage eines elektrischen Feldes die Polarisationsebene des einfallenden polarisierten Lichts dreht, und (b) einer Vorrichtung zum Steuern der Farbe eines jeden Bildelements eines in der Abbildungsebene erzeugten Bildes, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Farbsteuervorrichtung folgendes umfaßt:
a) eine Platte aus einzelnen, elektrisch ansteuerbaren Farbmodulatoren (26), die entweder zwischen der Lichtquelle und der Lichtventilanordnung oder zwischen der Lichtventilanordnung und der Abbildungsebene angeordnet ist, wobei jeder der Farbmodulatoren bei seiner elektrischen Ansteuerung selektiv Licht einer einzigen Farbe durchläßt und jeder der Modulatoren zwei gekreuzte Polarisatoren (13, 14) aufweist, die optisch mit ihm ausgerichtet sind und zwischen denen ein Farbfilter (R, G, B) angeordnet ist sowie ein elektrooptisches, lichtmodulierendes Material (E), das bei Anlage eines elektrischen Feldes die Polarisationsebene des einfallenden polarisierten Lichts dreht, und
b) Schaltungsmittel (30, 35), mit denen jeweils einer der Farbmodulatoren in einer bestimmten Reihenfolge angesteuert wird, so daß die Farbmodulatoren nacheinander Licht unterschiedlicher Farben durchlassen.
2. Gerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das lichtmodulierende Material aus einem ferro-elektrischen PLZT-Material besteht.
EP82900712A 1981-01-29 1982-01-15 Elektronische farbbildvorrichtung Expired EP0070877B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/230,096 US4366499A (en) 1981-01-29 1981-01-29 Electronic color imaging apparatus having improved color control device
US230096 1981-01-29

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0070877A1 EP0070877A1 (de) 1983-02-09
EP0070877A4 EP0070877A4 (de) 1985-11-07
EP0070877B1 true EP0070877B1 (de) 1988-07-06

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EP82900712A Expired EP0070877B1 (de) 1981-01-29 1982-01-15 Elektronische farbbildvorrichtung

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US4366499A (de)
EP (1) EP0070877B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS57502244A (de)
CA (1) CA1172573A (de)
DE (1) DE3278751D1 (de)
SG (1) SG57789G (de)
WO (1) WO1982002635A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (13)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4481542A (en) * 1982-03-18 1984-11-06 Advanced Imaging Devices, Inc. Color video hardcopy recorder, method and media therefor
KR910005141B1 (ko) * 1986-12-31 1991-07-23 삼성전자 주식회사 칼라 액정필터를 이용한 칼라화상 프린트 방법
JPS63189837A (ja) * 1987-02-02 1988-08-05 Konica Corp 光変調装置
US4899224A (en) * 1987-07-03 1990-02-06 Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation Recording apparatus and method utilizing an array of liquid crystal cells
JPH0620221B2 (ja) * 1987-07-15 1994-03-16 大日本スクリ−ン製造株式会社 読取りタイミングを相対的にずらせた画像読取り装置
GB8718046D0 (en) * 1987-07-30 1987-09-03 Thorn Emi Ltd Display device
US4887121A (en) * 1988-12-12 1989-12-12 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for exposure control based on color balance information
US5113202A (en) * 1990-08-01 1992-05-12 Xerox Corporation Electronic single pass, two color printing system
GB9108382D0 (en) * 1991-04-19 1991-06-05 Philips Electronic Associated Opto-electronic memory system
GB2268853A (en) * 1992-07-09 1994-01-19 Secr Defence Colour television display projection device
JP2882511B2 (ja) * 1993-03-12 1999-04-12 ノーリツ鋼機株式会社 画像プリンタ
GB9315126D0 (en) * 1993-07-21 1993-09-01 Philips Electronics Uk Ltd Opto-electronic memory systems
US7274495B2 (en) * 2002-10-11 2007-09-25 Transpacific Ip, Ltd. Light-channeling apparatus and method

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3428743A (en) * 1966-02-07 1969-02-18 Thomas F Hanlon Electrooptic crystal controlled variable color modulator
US3470310A (en) * 1966-05-23 1969-09-30 Rca Corp Color image display system utilizing a light valve
DE2322473A1 (de) * 1973-05-04 1974-11-21 Philips Patentverwaltung Faksimile-geraet zum schreiben und lesen von mechanisch bewegten vorlagen
US3891560A (en) * 1974-01-28 1975-06-24 Hughes Aircraft Co Large screen color display
JPS5260597A (en) * 1975-11-13 1977-05-19 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Liquid crystal display unit
US4316196A (en) * 1977-03-10 1982-02-16 Bell & Howell Corporation Illumination and light gate utilization methods and apparatus
US4129357A (en) * 1977-08-11 1978-12-12 Nasa Partial polarizer filter
IL55032A (en) * 1978-06-29 1984-05-31 Stolov Michael Color picture display system including electronically controlled slides
US4229095A (en) * 1979-01-29 1980-10-21 Eastman Kodak Company Electro-optical color imaging apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0070877A1 (de) 1983-02-09
WO1982002635A1 (en) 1982-08-05
CA1172573A (en) 1984-08-14
US4366499A (en) 1982-12-28
JPS57502244A (de) 1982-12-16
SG57789G (en) 1989-12-29
EP0070877A4 (de) 1985-11-07
DE3278751D1 (en) 1988-08-11

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